Officers booked each at Southwest Justice Center in French Valley on counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, grand theft and receiving stolen property. All except Carter also have other counts filed against them.

Lake Elsinore investigators launched the probe earlier this month after receiving reports of numerous thefts of air conditioners, according to a news release by Sgt. Todd Pauling.

The units were taken primarily from vacant homes and homes for sale around Southwest County, Pauling said.

Through surveillance, officers traced the suspected thefts back to a residence on Lakeshore Drive north of Chaney Street. There, investigators allege, air conditioners were cut apart to obtain their copper coils, which were sold for recycling.

On Tuesday, detectives arrested Hamlett as she was attempting to recycle about 2,000 pounds of stolen coils, Pauling said. After her arrest, detectives went to the Lakeshore home and detained the other suspects.

Police estimate the group was responsible for about $100,000 worth of damaged and stolen air conditioners, while reaping a profit of between $20,000 and $30,000.